Desk and cover



Jan. 3; 1967 R. H. BECKMAN DESK AND COVER Filed Nov. 27, 1964 u R mm M Hma 0 I w ATTORN EYS United States Patent 3,295,906 DESK AND COVER RonaldH. Beckman, New York, N.Y., assignor to Herman Miller, Inc., Zeeland,Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Nov. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 414,290 2Claims. (Cl. 312-297) This invention relates to oflice furniture, andmore particularly to a novel desk, especially a storage type desk, whichhas a uniquely combined cover means for the work surface.

Oflice desks or tables usually have a wide assortment of papers andother articles scattered on the working surface during the course of :anormal day. To place them in a covered condition at the end of the dayis usually advisable, for neatness and cleanliness, and to shield themfrom wandering eyes. Since a particular project is rarely finished justat quitting time, however, the papers that are carefully sorted andplaced away each evening, must be removed and rearranged the nextmorning. This is time consuming and inconvenient. It often interrupts aparticular thought of procedure pattern, which may be difficult toreestablish if not permanently lost.

Moreover, although it is desirable to replace files in storage to avoidexcess cluttering of the desk top, certain files are so frequently usedthat storage at the desk would be very desirable. Yet, drawers on deskshave only limited storage capacity, and normally cannot be left open,for purposes of safety.

Hence, a self-contained desk with integral, handy, storage means andcooperative cover means would be particularly advantageous.

It is an object of this invention to provide just such a desk withnovel, handy, integral storage facilities, uniquely combined with noveldesk cover means.

Another object of this invention is to provide a desk with unique,integral file storage facilities within arms length of the desk, andunique retractable desk surface covering means, also within arms reach,but not interfering with use of the storage facilities.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel desk work surfacecover means convenient to use, yet normally neatly and attractivelyretracted out of sight when not used. The cover is readily within easyreach to be grasped for use, but does not constitute an obstruction toaccess to the storage files, or to prevent large papers or books to bespread over the entire desk surface. The desk can even be used as aconference desk with complete perimetral access, to the flat desk top,and perimetral leg room for the conferees. Papers can be 'left on thedesk or table, and yet can be covered from view by passers-by. The coverassembly is relatively inexpensive, and inexpensively and easilymounted. It is neatly retractable out of the way to allow easy access tothe storage chamber on the desk, and yet readily available for re-usewithin convenient reach of the user. It is flexible in all dimensions toenable even larger objects to be covered [from sight.

These and several other objects of this invention will become apparentupon studying the following specification in conjunction-with thedrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the novel desk;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the novel desk showing thecover means extended over the work surface and objects thereon;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the novel desk taken on plane 'IIIII'I ofFIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on plane IV-IV of FIG. 3.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the complete desk asembly 10comprises a base subassembly 12, a desk top subassembly 14, a storagesubassembly 16, and a cover subassembly 18.

The base subassembly 12 may assume a variety of configurations, butpreferably has two spaced like pedestals 20 and 22 at opposite ends ofthe desk, interconnected by a lower tie bar brace and [foot rest 24.'Each is shaped basically like an H lying on its side. It has an openconstruction allowing access to the desk from all edges.

The desk top subassembly 14 includes a rigid work panel 28 mountedbetween pedestals 20 and 22, and resting upon a cross brace 30 (FIG. 3)having its ends aflixed to the pedestals. The side edges of panel 28 aresecured to a pair of end mounting strips 36 and 3 8, which in turn aremounted upon pedestals 20 and 22. Preferably, the top work surface 40 ofpanel 28 has a plastic sheet such as a vinyl layer overlying the panelto form an optimum writing surface.

Mounted at the rearof the-desk, slightly spaced from the work surface,is a storage subassembly 16. This includes an elongated storage pod 50extending the length of the desk, and generally U-shaped incross-sectional configuration. The pod has a pair of extruded supportstrips or ribs :52 and 54 on the upper edges. Each rib has a hollowinterior with elongated slots 56 extending thereinto [for receivingadjustable variously spaced, transverse file dividers. Each rib also hasa slotted bottom to receive and retain the upper edges of pod 50. Theends of the ribs and the bin or pod are received in correspondinglyshaped slots in end panels 58 and 60 at opposite ends of the desk. Thevertical panels are mounted to the inside faces of the pedestals.

This storage bin is normally closed by a flipper cover 66, hinged on apivotal axis 68 along its rear edge to pivot from a lowered closedposition, flush with the rest of the desk top (FIG. 3) to the raisedopen position illustrated in phantom in FIG. 1. Extending generallynormal to the underside of the cover is a support ledge 69. This ledgeis at an acute angle to the work surface when the cover is open-at anobtuse angle to support articles such as books, catalogs, photos,charts, etc. at a convenient viewing relation to the front of the desk.The underside is also preferably covered with a puucturable layer 71such as cork, to enable items to be tacked in convenient viewingrelation. Suitable lock means 70 may be provided between cover 66 andthe vertical panel, to

provide maximum security for items in the storage file.

element having a width substantially equal to the work area width. Thecover element may be formed of a. variety of materials such as vinylplastic, a flexible paperplastic laminate or many others, such as awoven fabric, which may or may'not be plastic impregnated. It isflexible in all dimensions to cover all objects and papers on the desk.It is wound into a roll beneath the desk top, on an elongated bar havingan internal coil spring return mechanism 82 like the type normally usedfor window shades. This coil spring retracting and holding mechanism maybe any of conventional assemblies presently used for window shadeconstructions, as taught for example in United States Patent Nos.1,278,404; 1,277,-

3 965; and 1,219,100. Since this type of retracting and retentionmechanism is conventional, further specific details are not shown sincethey would only unduly lengthen this description without contributing tothe teachings presented herein,

The roll has ends which include a cylindrical projection 84 extendinginto an opening in pedestal 22 (FIG. 4), and a rectangularly shapedprojection 86 extending into a slot in a bracket 88 mounted to pedestalby screws 90. Thus, the center of One end of the bar is held stationaryto cock the return coil spring as the roll is unwound. The roll has aconventional pawl-type catch to hold the mechanism in an extended cockedposition when the cover is withdrawn to unwind it.

The outer end of cover 80 extends upwardly through a special verticalslot provided between strip 54 and front lip 67 of cover 66 on one hand,and the rear edge of panel 28 and the lower portion of guide 96 on theother hand, as illustrated in FIG. 3. This upper cover end includes anenlarged rod 94 greater in diameter than the slot through which thecover passes, to prevent retraction to a point where it would beinaccessible. This elongated end normally rests in a groove 97 formed bythe guide cap element 96.

This cap is attached to the rear edge of panel 28 by integral fasteners98. It extends upwardly to form its concavity resting in panel notch100, and then up over and into contact with the work surface. Element 96is curved around the edge of panel 28 to allow uninhibited covermovement vertically up out of the slot and horizontally over the deskwork surface when the cover is pulled forwardly. This curved edge formsa smooth guide surface which keeps the cover straight and sm-oothes outany wrinkles it might have acquired. Further, it minimizes wear on thecover as it changes directions, and prevents damage to the cover.

The recessed concavity enables the entire cover and its enlarged end tobe below the flat desk surface so as to not constitute on obstruction onthe desk. In fact, the entire cover is out of sight except for itsenlarged end which fits smoothly in its elongated recess.

During normal use of this novel desk, the storage bin is employed forstoring files of conventional type, as by utilizing file hangerssuspended between strips 52 and 54. It may also be used to receive otherarticles. For convenience, flipper cover 66 can normally be retainedopen at the .obtuse angle (phantom position illustrated in FIG. 1) foraccess to the files at arms length, and to support items at an optimumposition. When the day is complete, papers arranged over work surface 40need not be carefully put away into storage. Rather, end 94 of the coverelement is grasped and pulled to draw the flexible cover up through theslot between the storage cover and desk panel, around the curved guidesurface, and out over the desk top to the covering condition illustratedin FIG. 2. It covers objects on the desk, whether two or threedimensional, for security and cleanliness. Yet, it does not prevent alarge flat work surface or conference surface over the retracted cover.It is quickly and easily operated. It is inexpensive to fabricate andinstall. Moreover, the cover roll assembly can be dismounted in amoment, if dirty or worn, for example, and replaced by a like,inexpensive assembly. It could even be substituted to suit a change indecor, with only slight expense.

The cover could be locked or latched in extended position if necessary,by securing the outer end to the desk front. This would cause anyunauthorized activity with respect to the items covered, to immediatelyappear suspicious. In extended position, the cover hangs over theleading edge of the desk, covering the drawers. This is to discourageunauthorized access after the desk has been closed by its owner.Preferably, it extends over the front edge of the desk and hanges downsubstantially, held by a Weighted end 77, to cover any drawer suspendedbetween the supports directly beneath the work surface. This discouragesunauthorized entry to any part of the desk.

Other advantages will probably occur to those in the art upon studyingthe foregoing illustrated form of the invention. It is also conceivablethat certain details of the structure could be modified within theconcept presented. Hence, the invention is not to be limited strictly tothe specific and preferred illustrated form shown, but only by the scopeof the appended claims and the reasonably equivalent structures to thosedefined therein.

I claim:

I. An office desk comprising: a support base and a top mounted thereon;said top including a work surface at the front of said desk, with frontand back edges; a storage pod suspended on said desk along the back edgeof said work surface; an openable cover for said pod; a flexible,wind-up work surface cover, including cover wind-up retraction meansbeneath said top, adjacent the front of said pod, concealed from abovesaid work surface; an elongated slot opening between said pod and saidwork surface back edge, said pod cover and said back edge beinggenerally within arms length of said front edge; said cover having aportion projecting through said slot, and an enlarged edge preventingcomplete retraction through said slot and providing a grasping pullmeans readily accessible from said front edge; and said cover beingextensible from said retraction means, through said slot, and over theextent of said work surface to cover the work surface and materialsthereon.

2. An office desk comprising: a support base includ ing a pair of spacedend pedestals; a pair of vertical end panels mounted to said endpedestals; a desk top suspended between said end panels, and having awork surface with front and back edges; a storage pod suspended betweensaid end panels along said back edge of said work surface; cover meansover said pod, openable toward the back of said pod for access to thepod from the front of said work surface; said cover means and pod beingwithin generally arms length from said front edge; a flexible, wind-up,work surface cover, including cover windup retraction means beneath saidtop adjacent said back edge, adjacent said pod and supported by said endpedestals; an elongated slot opening between said pod and said worksurface back edge and generally at arms length from said front edge;said cover having an end portion projecting up through said slot andhaving an enlarged edge with a thickness greater than the breadth ofsaid slot, preventing complete retraction back through said slot andproviding a grasping pull means; and said cover being extensible fromsaid retraction means over the extent of said work surface to cover thework surface and materials thereon.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,515,466 7/1950Nahmens l0890 FOREIGN PATENTS 24,315 1914 Great Britain.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

F, DOMOTOR, Assistant Examiner.

1. AN OFFICE DESK COMPRISING: A SUPPORT BASE AND A TOP MOUNTED THEREON;SAID TOP INCLUDING A WORK SURFACE AT THE FRONT OF SAID DESK, WITH FRONTAND BACK EDGES; A STORAGE POD SUSPENDED ON SAID DESK ALONG THE BACK EDGEOF SAID WORK SURFACE; AN OPENABLE COVER FOR SAID POD; A FLEXIBLE,WIND-UP WORK SURFACE COVER, INCLUDING COVER WIND-UP RETRACTION MEANSBENEATH SAID TOP, ADJACENT THE FRONT OF SAID POD, CONCEALED FROM ABOVESAID WORK SURFACE; AN ELONGATED SLOT OPENING BETWEEN SAID POD AND SAIDWORK SURFACE BACK EDGE, SAID POD COVER AND SAID BACK EDGE BEINGGENERALLY WITHIN ARM''S LENGTH OF SAID FRONT EDGE; SAID COVER HAVING APORTION PROJECTING THROUGH SAID SLOT, AND AN ENLARGED EDGE PREVENTINGCOMPLETE RETRACTION THROUGH SAID SLOT AND PROVIDING A GRASING PULL MEANSREADILY ACCESSIBLE FROM SAID FRONT EDGE; AND SAID COVER BEING EXTENSIBLEFROM SAID RETRACTION MEANS, THROUGH SAID SLOT, AND OVER THE EXTENT OFSAID WORK SURFACE TO COVER THE WORK SURFACE AND MATERIALS THEREON.